mama 'n me minis
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This morning our 6 year old maiden mare went into labor. We have had her under camera and pager for 53 days so we were right there. Water broke and then we had no presenting part or "bubble". Phoned the vet who wanted us at the University Of Georgia Vet hospital. We loaded the mare and set off for the 1 hour or so drive. (felt much longer) Upon arrival the bubble that had slowly appeared broke. A team of 6 or so vets attempted everything to deliver the foal and could not. The head was bent back against its shoulder. Faced with the choice of putting her down or doing the c section we went with the c section. She is still at the University and we are awaiting the placenta to deliver. It is looking like a 4000. dollar horrible day. We are of course hopeful that the mare survives.
Out of 5 mares we had in foal this year...only one delivered uneventfully. We have been there and managed to deliver the other 4 foals but have dealt with dystocia's, one red bag and dystocia,and one sack that did not break( until we broke it) and now this c section.
We have taken every measure that I know of to safely foal out mares. We hand breed, ultrasound, vaccinate, and pull off fescue timely. We have routine vet care and post foaling exams.We have cameras and pagers. One of the family has been home at all times with the pager for a couple of months now. We still have lost foals and maybe a mare this time. I have read foaling books, videos and had lengthy dicussions with my equine only vet. I am really at my wits end. My mom and I have spent thousands on our small herd and stallion, not to mention all those things that the horses need.
Last year was no better. We lost a foal to a septic joint thru a cracked hoof. (we think the mare stepped on him) We had a dwarf foal. (the stallion sired 2 dwarfs that year so he was gelded big $ loss there too) We also had a still born filly for some unknown reason. The year before we had a red bag breech foal loss. Different mares and stallions for the most part. Is it just me?? What is your percentage of loss, mares and foals?
I did not go into this thinking I would make money. I soon realized that I would not even break even if I did everything the best way. ( from ultrasounds , vaccinations etc...) I had hoped with all the knowlege I had gained and the cameras/pagers etc. that I really had a good chance this year. How do the big farms do it? How do you have 10 to 30 or more mares in foal and not have high losses? Do the big farms cut costs somewhere I am not thinking about ? I have truely micro managed these horses and still cannot seem to have an uneventful year.
Sorry for the long post. I just want to know is it my bad luck or is this just about par for the course with miniatures. It seems just the other day I was reading a post like mine and telling them to keep thier chin up that I was finally going to be OK this year. I was wrong and I don't think I have the heart for it anymore.
Out of 5 mares we had in foal this year...only one delivered uneventfully. We have been there and managed to deliver the other 4 foals but have dealt with dystocia's, one red bag and dystocia,and one sack that did not break( until we broke it) and now this c section.
We have taken every measure that I know of to safely foal out mares. We hand breed, ultrasound, vaccinate, and pull off fescue timely. We have routine vet care and post foaling exams.We have cameras and pagers. One of the family has been home at all times with the pager for a couple of months now. We still have lost foals and maybe a mare this time. I have read foaling books, videos and had lengthy dicussions with my equine only vet. I am really at my wits end. My mom and I have spent thousands on our small herd and stallion, not to mention all those things that the horses need.
Last year was no better. We lost a foal to a septic joint thru a cracked hoof. (we think the mare stepped on him) We had a dwarf foal. (the stallion sired 2 dwarfs that year so he was gelded big $ loss there too) We also had a still born filly for some unknown reason. The year before we had a red bag breech foal loss. Different mares and stallions for the most part. Is it just me?? What is your percentage of loss, mares and foals?
I did not go into this thinking I would make money. I soon realized that I would not even break even if I did everything the best way. ( from ultrasounds , vaccinations etc...) I had hoped with all the knowlege I had gained and the cameras/pagers etc. that I really had a good chance this year. How do the big farms do it? How do you have 10 to 30 or more mares in foal and not have high losses? Do the big farms cut costs somewhere I am not thinking about ? I have truely micro managed these horses and still cannot seem to have an uneventful year.
Sorry for the long post. I just want to know is it my bad luck or is this just about par for the course with miniatures. It seems just the other day I was reading a post like mine and telling them to keep thier chin up that I was finally going to be OK this year. I was wrong and I don't think I have the heart for it anymore.